Bushcraft skills, the great outdoors, adventure and a meeting of minds…what’s not to love about outdoor adventure festivals and gatherings? They’re the best combination of all we love about being outside, mixed with our favourite tunes, lots to learn and entertainment for the whole family.

It’s that time of year when we have everything to look forward to, and when the programmes for all the events centred on all we adore start being released. We’ve gathered up a selection of what we think look like THE do-not-miss happenings so far for 2018. See what you think, and if you have any suggestions of your own, please head over to our Facebook page and share them!

The Bushcraft Show 2018, 26th – 28th May 2018

Fancy trying your hand at woodland crafts, building shelters, foraging and a whole host of woodland games? If so, then the Bushcraft Show is the perfect introduction to all things outdoor adventure.

Come for the day or stay the entire weekend; you’ll find the event in the Derbyshire countryside. It’s a great introduction to all things bushcraft, with expert speakers, demonstrations, hands-on activities and specialist workshops for our youngest explorers.

Top all of this with a full programme of evening entertainment, and we can guarantee you’ll come away from this with a whetted appetite for all things bush tucker.

Wilderness Gathering, 16th – 19th August 2018

If you’re looking for something for all the family, this one’s for you. Not only is it the longest running bushcraft and survival skills festival, we also love the fact that over the years it has become a massive social event for families and friends alike.

You’ll find Wilderness located on a South Wiltshire Farm, and if you love a good mix of hands-on workshops, demonstrations, interactive bushcraft skills and live music, then you’ll love it. In terms of what’s on for the kiddies, you’ll find that it’s the perfect introduction to safety skills, such as knife safety and fire lighting, which are oh-so-important a part of surviving in the great outdoors.

Throw in a little bit of willow basket making, tree and plant walks and campfire gadgets, and you’re bound to find something the whole family can enjoy.

The Big Shakeout, 28th – 30th September 2018

If you’ve got a taste for adventure then the Big Shakeout in the Peak District is for you. Offering a variety of free outdoor adventure activities on site, the whole family can pick and choose what appeals to them, from caving through to lake swimming. Alternatively, why not sign up for a School of Adventure course with a qualified instructor?

This gathering is all about being inspired and trying something new, allowing you to take a core set of key outdoor skills away with you from the daytime activities, and being entertained and well-fed of an evening.

Local Events

If you want just a taste of what the bush has to offer, don’t forget there are many more local events beside the big weekends of bushcraft. For example, Essex Wildlife Trust regularly runs bushcraft days for children, which will allow them to learn the basics of wilderness survival, including how to whittle a stick, simple shelter tactics and – the all-important one – how to toast marshmallows! Check their website for further details.

Similarly, there are mountain festivals throughout the country, including the Braemar Mountain Festival, and the Kendal Mountain Festival. These are celebrations of all things outdoors, bringing together specialist adventure videographers, photographers, speakers, bushcraft experts and anyone and everyone who wants to explore the wilderness.

So why not make a weekend of it? Get kitted out, gather the whole family together and enjoy learning even more about the great outdoors!